The voice of the Lord is beautiful and I am a hunter of beauty. He speaks and we listen for His voice. We are the hungry and He is all we need.
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| A home in Jicamarca |
San Juan de Lurigancho is covered with dust. People are waking up and the bread truck is coming. I hear the honking in the distance. It is 7 am. My feet touch the floor and it is cool beneath my feet, solid. My shower is freezing because there is no hot water here, but I have learned to give thanks because we are in a part of town that has running water. Many here do not. The water truck comes and delivers water in the gallon drums to those who can afford the extra cost. So many things are precious here and why have I never seen it before? Why have I never given thanks for the hot water in my home or the roof top or the clean water? It is still my prayer each day- that my eyes will see that all is a gift. Thank you, Lord, for running water. Thank you for the bread that comes in the morning and for the man who delivers it. Thank you for your spirit and your presence here. Thank you because all is a gift.
I hand wash our laundry and hang it out to dry. It blows in the wind and I look out at the homes surrounding this place. All of the rooftops are filled with bright colors, laundry blowing in the wind in rhythm with mine. Thank you, Lord, for the wind.
Every day is filled with adventure. We came here with no agenda or plan of our own. It has been the most wonderful journey to wake up each day and ask the Lord what He has planned for us. We said goodbye to the American teams and they went back to the states, their lives having been changed forever, impacted by the heart of God. We have been teaching dramas to the churches and one of the sweetest nights was spent at El Renuevo church at an all night prayer vigil. We met with them at 10 and sang hymns to the Lord in Spanish and prayed together for hours, lifting up the needs of the city and of the Church and worshipping the Lord together. We left at dawn and that Sunday was father’s day and I called my daddy, 3000 miles away.
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| Before |
We get to know this city more each day. Our dear friends, Don & Joy, took us downtown one day on a mission project to buy a new basketball goal for the girls orphanage in Jicamarca. Sometimes, the most simple things matter so much. With a donation from Face to Face ministry, we replaced a broken basketball goal and bought the girls new soccer balls, basket balls, and volley balls.
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| After |
The girls were ecstatic. They were so thankful for the gift and we stayed and played with them, the song of their laughter finding its place in my heart. They have been through so much. So much more than I can even imagine. These girls have all been physically abused and hurt; some by their relatives. No one comes to visit them. The time we spend with them is precious, needed. It is a moment when all of the world stands still and they know that they are important. They are loved and they are worthy of gifts. Their father in Heaven calls them worthy and wants to give them good gifts. And so He does. Today He gives them a new basketball goal and balls to play with. He gives them hugs and love and conversation. We are the hands and feet of Jesus.
I read in the book of James and his words sink deep. “If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their phsyical needs, what good is it?” I walk these streets and I see the need and I know that God will provide. He is called Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. The God who will see that every need is met.
His love is enough to fill the void in our hearts. His provision is enough to see that every need is met. He created each of us with a specific destiny. He has a plan for you. He has a plan for us. He has a plan for the girls at Hope House and for the woman who sells candy from a basket on the bus just to survive. He has a plan for the boys who live down by the river and for the young girls who sell themselves, not knowing that they are priceless and precious to the Lord. That is why we are here- to love, to tell them that they are priceless, to call them out of the dirt and the dust and into new life.
A new day dawns and hope shines like the sun.
He gave His Son so that we could live in beautiful freedom.
Reach out and take it, dear beloved. He did it all for you.
5 Comments
Beautiful!
Powerful! So beautifully written. Can't wait to hug your neck!!!!
Thank you for sharing.. I'm truley blessed everytime I read your blog. GOD bless!!!
Psalm 113…
I went to highschool with Chris, and stumbled upon this from scrolling through Facebook and looking through pictures of you two in Peru, and then the link to this page. Seeing the work you guys are doing, and also the beautiful relationship you have has really touched me this morning. I was getting chill bumps reading this blog. What you are doing is amazing, and I just wanted to let you know that it made an impact on me. Thank you! You are the example of what a Christian should be. You're not just talking, you're going out and changing the world.